Identify an chambo cichlid

The chambo cichlid is is grey to silver-coloured with broad, diffuse black bands. The male is slightly darker than the female. Older, sexually mature males become even darker with a white outline around the fins.

Whimsical mating

The chambo cichlid has amusing mating behaviour: The male first digs a nest into the sandy bottom. The female then chooses a male and helps with the nest. Then the couple dances. The male and female create a T-shape by taking turns being the horizontal line in the T. After some time the female lays the eggs. She immediately collects the eggs in her mouth and the male fertilises them.

A popular food fish

The chambo cichlid is one of the most valuable food fish in Malawi. For many years, it has been subjected to highly intensive overfishing. The Chambo cichlid is now threatened with extinction.
Chambo cichlid behavior